Simple language version of this post (link)
The r-word isn't comparable to words like "idiot"
I got a comment that said "the r-word is not a slur".
The person linked an article (link). The person made that article.
The person says that the special olympics does not explain that the r-word "is any more hurtful or bullying than 'intellectually disabled'."
I am going to explain that the r-word is hurtful here.
The R-word Directly Refers To Those With IDDs
The R-word was still being used by doctors in the 2000s (years). The word was used for IDDs.
Words like idiot, moron, and stupid, are not used for IDDs in medicine.
The R-word was used specifically for IDDs.
The Difference of Saying The R-Word Or Intellectually Disabled
Words can change over time.
In 2010 doctors stopped using the R word.
The R-word was replaced with "Intellectual Disability".
Doctors use intellectual disability because the R-word was used to hurt people.
The word stopped being used by doctors.
People started using the r-word to insult people with IDDs.
Doctors stopped using the r-word to stop insulting people.
Intellectually disabled can be used as an insult but it is not.
The r-word has a history of insults.
The History of The R-word
The R-word means "to slow".
Doctors in the 1900s (year) used to use "idiot" as a correct word.
"Idiot" would become an insult.
Doctors used the r-word to stop insults later in time.
The r-word was used for IDDs and low intelligence.
This made the r-word an insult.
Intellectual Disability replaced the r-word so it would not insult others.
The r-word was used in a time of abuse.
People with IDDs in the 1900's (year) were abused by doctors.
The r-word has that history of abuse.
The word disabled isn't like the r-word.
The word disabled doesn't have the history of the r-word.
Disabled can be used as an insult but it doesn't have the history of the r-word.
Sources: https://www.specialolympics.org/stories/impact/why-the-r-word-is-the-r-slur, https://thearc.org/blog/the-r-word-why-language-matters-and-how-we-can-do-better/, https://www.npr.org/2026/04/29/nx-s1-5802941/the-worrisome-return-of-the-r-word, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/08/01/2013-18552/change-in-terminology-mental-retardation-to-intellectual-disability, https://www.aadmd.org/r-word-statement, https://arcmorris.org/the-r-word
